Diabetes in times of a pandemic: the impact of COVID-19 in different Family Health Units across the country

Authors

  • Adriana Arantes Pinheiro Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Serra da Lousã, ULS de Coimbra. Lousã, Portugal.
  • Patrícia Antunes Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. Trofa Saúde Braga Sul. Braga, Portugal.
  • Inês Garcia Moreira Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. UCSP Ílhavo, ULS da Região de Aveiro. Ílhavo, Portugal.
  • Frederico Rosário Médico Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Tondela, ULS de Viseu Dão-Lafões. Tondela, Portugal.
  • Joana Fernandes Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Serra da Lousã, ULS de Coimbra. Lousã, Portugal.
  • Lígia Martins Médica Assistente Graduada de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Vouzela, ULS de Viseu Dão-Lafões. Vouzela, Portugal.
  • Carla Correlo USF AmareSaúde , Médica Assistente Graduada de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF AmareSaúde, ULS de Braga. Ferreiros, Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v41i5.14090

Keywords:

Diabetes mellitus, Metabolic control, COVID-19, Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its management is multifactorial. Evidence remains scarce and contradictory regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on glycaemic control in people with DM. This study aimed to assess changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values in individuals with DM during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Data were extracted from electronic medical records of three patient panels with DM, belonging to three primary care units in the Northern and Central regions of Portugal. HbA1c values from the pre-pandemic period were compared with those recorded during the pandemic.

Results: A total of 296 participants were included (51% female): 85 from Unit A, 76 from Unit B, and 135 from Unit C. At baseline, participants had a mean age of 65.8 ± 11.0 years and had been diagnosed with DM for 5.4 ± 3.3 years. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, HbA1c values decreased during the pandemic. An inverse association was identified between HbA1c and age. No significant sex-related differences were observed.

Conclusion: This study was pioneering in Portugal in exploring glycaemic control in primary care patients with DM during different COVID-19 pandemic phases. Although statistically significant improvements in HbA1c were observed in some semesters, the magnitude of these changes was small and clinically negligible, aligning with international evidence reporting a neutral effect. Further research is required better to understand the pandemic’s impact on diabetes care.

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Published

2025-11-03

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 5 (2025): Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar

Section

Original Research

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How to Cite

Diabetes in times of a pandemic: the impact of COVID-19 in different Family Health Units across the country. (2025). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 41(5), 415-21. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v41i5.14090

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